Porsche 996 production history and information

the new Porsche 996 Turbo arrives with a
twin-turbocharged, water-cooled flat six
cylinder engine, with VarioCam Plus which
develops a whopping 416hp. Power is

Porsche 911, model 996: 1997 – 2005

The Two-door, two plus two seater Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa were
introduced with for the first time a rearmounted six-cylinder water-
cooled ‘boxer' engine. This change from the previous air cooled engine
caused quite a stir from the purist community. However once the purists
calmed down, the Porsche 996 proved to be one of the best designed
cars of all time. The Porsche 996 Carrera 2 is all one would ever actually
need. Building up on this automotive ledgend were the four-wheel drive
Porsche 996 Carrera 4 and Porsche 996Carrera 4S. The latter had it's
brakes sourced from the Turbo, including it's suspension and most of the
body work, save the rear quarter panels which had no vents for the
intercoolers and the rear deck lid with an extendable wing - synonimouse
with the Porsche Turbo model.

The Porsche C4s was arguably the best value 911 Porsche has ever
built. The 416hp, all-wheel drive Porsche Turbo quickly became a
contender for the greatest supercar of all time, easily beating out the
the italian power houses (Ferrari and Lamborghini). The 462hp GT2
which was launched soon after was deemed a tad excessive, too raw,
for most daily drivers. The Porsche GT3 which was a stripped-out 911
Carrera (non-widebody) was as close to a Porsche 911 RS (Ren Sport)
one could get still making it a street legal race car. It gained the
reputation as one of the most rewarding Porsche 911s at launch, and it's
still a favourite amongst the Porsche purists. The Porsche GT3 RS was
further tuned for the track, which included a lightweight program. The
Porsche Targa featured, the now traditional, opening rear glass hatch.

1997 to 1998
1998 Model Year An end of the air cooled era. Production of the all-
wheel drive 993 Carrera 4 and 993 Turbo continues until July 1998 but
when the last car finally rolls off the production line (a Carrera 4S) it
marks the end of the air-cooled Porsche 911 after 35 years of
production. Porsche's all-new water-cooled, 3.4-litre VarioCam six-
cylinder ‘boxer' engine is introduced with the Porsche Carrera 996
powered by a rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission or five-
speed Tiptronic S at an extra option. Traction control is also made
available. The all-wheel drive Carrera 4 is introduced at the end of the
year along with another first from Porsche, the Porsche Stability
Management (PSM) function.

1998 to 1999
1999 Model Year – The race track tuned, 360hp Porsche GT3 is
introduced. A GT1-based engine helps to create the most focused
Porsche 996 to date. Sadly however the addition of more cooling via
larger radiators, a stronger gearbox and engine accounted for extra
weight over the standard Porsche Carrera 2. The Porsche GT3 was
available in both a ‘Comfort' or a ‘Club Sport' trim. Additionally the same
year it broke the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for a production
car (8mins 03sec).

1999 to 2000
2000 Model Year – the new Porsche 911 Turbo arrives with a twin-
turbocharged, water-cooled flat six cylinder engine, with VarioCam Plus
which develops a whopping 416hp. Power is directed to the wheels via
the Carrera 4's all-wheel drive chassis. This also marks the first time a
Porsche 911 Turbo is available with a Tiptronic S transmission.

2000 to 2001
2001 Model Year – Porsche introduces the 996 GT2 with 462hp, a rear-
wheel drive, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and, however with
no Porsche Stability Management! Once again Porsche breaks the
production car lap record at the Nordschleife (7min 46sec) with its new
996 GT2.

Porsche 911, model 996: 2001 - 2004

2002 Model Year marks the second-generation 996's introduced. The
engine capacity grows from a 3.4 liter to 3.6 litres, and a power increase
to 316hp for the Carrera models. The Porsche Turbo's trip computer
option becomes standard across the range, as are the Turbo headlights,
removing the odly shaped originals. Cup holders are also fitted for the
time. The Porsche Carrera 4S is introduced with much larger Turbo
brakes, and turbo suspension including the wide-body. Porsche 996
Targa model is launched with retractable sliding glass roof.

2003 to 2004
2003 Model Year slates the return of the Porsche GT3 with 381hp while
the Porsche GT3 RS running on the same power gets a weight reduction
of 20 kilos thanks to carbon fibre body panels and a plastic rear window.
Both the Porsche Turbo and Carrera 4S are launched in a Cabriolet while
the GT2 gets a power increase to 483hp breeaking 0-62mph times in
under 4.0 seconds, and a top speed in access of 198mph.